Chapter 066: Let You Witness the Fall of Your Family

Watching the one-sided battle in which there was no hope of reversal, all those present understood that from now on, only the Mu family would dominate Shun'an City. Even if the Dai family had not joined the fray and lost no powerful members, they still paled in comparison to the Mu family. In other words, Shun'an City no longer had four major families. There was now one superfamily—the Mu family; one first-tier family—the Dai family; and countless families below the fourth tier. The second and third tiers had vanished entirely.

For the smaller families, this was an extraordinary opportunity. If they chose their allegiance wisely, they could earn the favor of the Mu family. And with even a slight boost from the Mu family, which family would dare obstruct their rise? Thus, they could quickly ascend to become second or third-tier families—or even leap to the stature of the Dai family. From this moment, every family began plotting how to curry favor with the Mu family. Even becoming an affiliated power of the Mu family was considered a great honor.

As for the Dai family, they remained silent, merely watching the battle unfold as though none of this concerned them. No one knew that, before leaving home, Dai family members had received special instructions: not to provoke the Mu family, and to return just as they had come. As for other families, they need not worry; they could simply spectate.

Even if Shun'an City became the Mu family’s domain, the Dai family suffered no loss—indeed, there were benefits. After all, the Dai and Mu families had never been deeply at odds and even enjoyed a measure of friendly acquaintance. Mu Tianhen was not one to bear petty grudges and would not deliberately suppress the Dai family. Their aim was to develop quietly, to cultivate Dai Ling’er so she could become an official disciple of the Imperial Sky Pavilion and pursue further training there. If she could achieve something at the Imperial Sky Pavilion, what did Shun'an City matter?

Thus, after about the time it takes to burn a stick of incense, the battle reached its final stage. At this moment, many members of the Mu family were stained red with blood, but it was only their enemies’ blood; not a single one was injured, all were unharmed.

Of the thirty-odd families, only their heads remained, each heavily wounded. Back to back, they gripped their weapons tightly, vigilant as they faced the Mu family. None could have imagined that today’s outcome would so closely mirror the vision seen in the illusion—except that their kin had not yet been slaughtered and still had a chance to escape, though they could not send word.

Mu Tianxue and her companions surrounded the thirty family heads, looking to Mu Tianhen. Mu Tianhen drifted gently down beside Mu Tianxue, reached out to lightly touch her head, and smiled, “Xue’er, you’re wonderful! You’ve really grown up.”

Praised by her elder brother, Mu Tianxue felt a sweet warmth in her heart, giggled, sheathed her sword, and resumed the appearance of an innocent little girl.

Mu Tianhen glanced at his family, then said, “You’ve all done splendidly. Thank you for your efforts.”

“It wasn’t hard!” The crowd shouted in unison, gazing at Mu Tianhen with even greater admiration. Everyone knew that such a resounding victory was thanks to Mu Tianhen. Had his cultivation not been so exceptional, and his power not so overwhelming, it would have been the Mu family that disappeared after this battle, not the thirty families. Of course, Princess Mu Tianxue had also become an object of their adoration.

Under the guidance of these two siblings, the Mu family was certain to grow into a superfamily, perhaps even step beyond Shun'an City and enter more advanced cities.

Suddenly, Mu Tianhen’s gaze sharpened as he looked toward the thirty survivors. He spoke coolly, “Did you never consider this outcome might happen?”

“Bah!” Gu Yiming spat blood and glared at Mu Tianhen, “Don’t get cocky, boy! It’s far too soon to say how this will end!”

“Oh?” Mu Tianhen sneered, “Do you still have some hidden strength? I’d like to see what gives you the confidence to say that.”

As he spoke, Mu Tianhen moved again.

In a flash, he transformed into a blur and darted into their ranks.

A series of heavy blows rang out. Bodies howled as they were flung through the air, landing dozens of feet away, rolling across the ground before coming to a stop. The family heads who were struck no longer cried out. Their bodies convulsed, blood spurted from their mouths, and soon they breathed their last, joining their kin in death. In only a few breaths, all were dead save Gu Yiming and Huang Dahai, who still stood.

Seeing this, fear gripped their hearts. They heard their own racing heartbeats. Their faces turned deathly pale, sweat poured down, and their eyes fixed on Mu Tianhen. Yet they kept glancing toward a distant rooftop, as if awaiting something.

Their expressions could not escape Mu Tianhen’s notice.

Mu Tianhen smiled calmly, “Still waiting for the expert you hired? I’m afraid he won’t be coming.”

“Impossible!” Gu Yiming shouted, “Mu Tianhen, you may be the strongest in Shun'an City, but compared to a true master, you’re nothing!”

“That’s right, we did hire an expert—a true master! He’s here to wipe out the Mu family, leaving none alive! Do you know what kind of expert we brought?”

“With your skills, how can you say he won’t come?”

Mu Tianhen continued to smile serenely. “Is your expert at the third or fifth level of the Thunder Tribulation Realm? Don’t tell me you hired someone from the late stages of that realm. With your resources, that’s impossible. Even if you could, it would be futile. Don’t forget, I too have powerful allies!”

At these words, Gu Yiming and Huang Dahai grew even more apprehensive. Though everyone believed Mu Tianhen had acquired some lost ancient art, making him so formidable, it was also possible that he had caught the eye of a great master who bestowed him advanced techniques. If the latter were true, his cultivation must be terrifying; only then could he have become so powerful in such a short time.

Gu Yiming and Huang Dahai exchanged glances and looked hopefully toward the rooftop, awaiting a miracle.

Just then, as they looked up, a figure suddenly sprang from the rooftop and rushed toward them at incredible speed.

Gu Yiming could not help but throw his head back and laugh, gritting his teeth, “Mu Tianhen, today your family will be utterly destroyed!”

“Oh?” Mu Tianhen smiled, “Unfortunately, you’re destined for disappointment. I spared you so you could witness your family’s annihilation with your own eyes.”

In that moment, the racing figure finally revealed itself, and everyone stared in shock. What expert? It was clearly a fox—the little snow fox that often perched on Mu Tianhen’s shoulder, nothing at all like a master.

But why had it appeared from there, unharmed? Could it be that Mu Tianhen really had invited a powerful master who had slain the one lying in wait?

Gu Yiming could not bring himself to believe it, nor did he want to, though even he could barely convince himself otherwise. Yet he stubbornly refused to accept it.

Mu Tianhen smiled faintly and spoke to the little white fox, “Little White, it’s your turn to show your skill.”